Can puncturing device



Jan. 22, 1963 J. P. BURNS CAN PUNCTURING DEVICE Filed Feb. 26, 1962United States Patent 3,074,160 CAN PUNCTURING DEVICE John P. Burns, 537Magie Ave., Elizabeth, NJ. Filed Feb. 26, 1962, Ser. No. 175,532 3Claims. (Cl. 30-6.1)

This invention relates to a can puncturing device of the kindparticularly adapted for use in generating a pouring opening in a canwithin which beer or another liquid has been sealed under gaseous,superatmospheric pressure. It relates particularly to a can puncturingdevice of the kind described which is adapted further for use ingenerating a pressure balancing or vacuum breaking opening in a can suchas a beer can in the same stroke of the device as that in which thepouring opening is generated. It relates more particularly to a canpuncturing device of the kind particularly adapted for use in generatingboth pouring and pressure balancing openings in a can such as a beer canin a single operating stroke which is both portable and manuallyoperable; that is, a can puncturing device which does not require anywall or table mounting or any extra-human source of operating power suchas an electric motor.

Portable and manually operable can puncturing devices of the kind knownto the prior art which are adapted for use in generating both pouringand pressure balancing openings in a can such as a beer can in a singleoperating stroke are broadly typified by the puncturing device or canopener described and illustrated in US. Patent No. 2,195,253 issued toE. Meier et al. on March 26, 1940. This device, formed of stripmaterial, has its puncturing elements bent out of its main body portionin such a manner that when the device is used for a puncturing uperationforce is applied essentially normally to its wide surface, as contrastedto its narrow or edge surface, at or close to one end thereof. Thismeans that as the device is used it is subjected to deflection as acantilever in its most limber or least rigid mode of bending.

Application of force in the course of use to cause de flection as a flator strip type cantilever in its weakest mode of bending is generallycharacteristic likewise of those can puncturing devices known to theprior art which are adapted to generate only a single opening in a canin a given operating stroke as well as of those such as that of Meierset al. which are adapted to generate two openings per stroke.

The can puncturing device of Meiers et al. is broadly typical further ofthe devices known to the prior art which are adapted to generate twoopenings in a can per operating stroke in that its puncturing elementwhich acts to generate the pouring opening in the can also effects theinitial puncture or penetration in the can wherethrough pressurizing gasis allowed to escape. This is done very early in the operating stroke ofthe device. As the stroke is continued, the initial puncture orpenetration for gas escape is enlarged to the size of a pouring opening.

In the cases of those can puncturing devices known to the prior artwhich are adapted to generate only a single opening in a can in a givenoperating stroke, any initial puncture or perforation effected in thecan is customarily enlarged to the size of either a pouring opening or apressure balancing or vacuum breaking opening.

An object of this invention is to provide a can puncturing device ofsubstantially fiat or strip type in its main body portion having any andevery one of its puncturing Another object of this invention is toprovide a can puncturing device having a puncturing element whichfunctions solely to generate a small initial puncture, perforation, orvent opening in a can wherethrough pressurizing gas is allowed toescape, this puncturing element being separate and distinct from anyother puncturing element of the device which functions to generateanother, customarily larger opening in the can such as a pouring openingor a pressure balancing opening.

The nature and substance of this invention as well as its objects andadvantages will be more clearly perceived and fully understood byreferring to the following description and claims taken in connectionwith the accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 represents a plan view of the assembled can puncturing device ofthis invention;

FIG. 2 represents a side elevation view of the assembled can puncturingdevice of this invention; I

FIG. 3 represents a front end elevation view of the assembled canpuncturing device of this invention;

FIG. 4 represents a view in transverse sectional elevation through thecan puncturing device of FIG. 2 taken along line 44 therein looking inthe direction of the arrows-toward the front of the device;

FIG. 5 represents a View in transverse sectional elevation through thecan puncturing device of FIG. 2 taken elements so disposed to its mainbody portion that when along line 5-5 therein looking in the directionof the arrows toward the rear of the device;

FIG. 6 represents a side elevation view of a fragmentary front sectionof the main body portion of the can puncturing device of this invention,this section having removed from itself the puncturing element of theassembled can puncturing device particularly adapted to generate pouringopenings in cans;

FIG. 7 represents a front elevation view of the puncturing element ofthe assembled can puncturing device of this invention particularlyadapted to generate pouring openings in cans, this element being viewedby itself;

FIG. 8 represents a view in sectional elevation through a fragmentaryupper section of a can with which the can puncturing device of thisinvention is engaged, this device being in such position that theinitial puncture in the can top to allow the escape of pressurizing gashas been partially generated, and generation of the pouring opening isabout to be started;

FIG. 9 represents a view in sectional elevation through a fragmentaryupper section of a can with which the can puncturing device of thisinvention is engaged, this device being in such position that theinitial puncture in the can top to allow the escape of pressurizing gashas been fully generated; the pouring opening has been largely, althoughnot completely, generated, and generation of the pressure balancingopening is about to be started;

FIG. 10 represents a view in sectional elevation through a fragmentaryupper portion of a can with which the can puncturing device of thisinvention is engaged, this device being in such position that theinitial puncture in the can top to allow the escape of pressurizing gas,the pouring opening, and the pressure balancing opening have all beenfully generated;

FIG. 11 represents a plan view of the can of FIG. 10 after thedisengagement and removal therefrom of the can puncturing device of thisinvention, and

FIG. 12 represents a view in transverse sectional elevation through thecan of FIG. 11 taken along line 12-12 therein looking in the directionof the arrows toward the portion of the can top sheared and bent down togenerate the pouring opening.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, especially to FIGS. 1 through 7'thereof as a group, the illustrated em- -bodimentof the can puncturingdevice of this invention is generally designated 20. Thi devicecomprises a main body portion generally designated 22, handle gripelements 24 and 26 secured to the main body portion by rivets 28 and 3d,and a pouring opening puncturing element generally designated 32 whichis secured to the main body portion by soldering, brazing, welding, orother suitable means.

Main body portion 22 of vcan puncturing device 20 is generally of fiat,striplike form. On its upper surface near its left hand or front end,the main body portion is relieved and finished to a point 3 in a mannersuitable that it may be engaged with bottle caps to pull them off ofbottles such as those containing soda water, ginger ale, or othercarbonated beverages. of can puncturing device 24) does not, however,constitute any part of the present invention and is illustrated anddescribed only because in the course of development of the prior art ithas become well known, if not customary, to provide cap pulling and canpuncturing features together in a single device. Such a combination offeatures is shown by Meier et al., for example.

On its lower surface near its left hand end, main body portion 22 of canpuncturing device 29 is relieved and finished to a point 36 in a mannersuitable that it may be engaged with and pivot around the beaded orrolled edge of a can such as a beer can. Integral with main body portion22 and extending downwardly from it principal lower edge near the lefthand end thereof is a generally triangularly shaped section 38 whichserves as a backup support and mounting means for pouring openingpuncturing element 32 disposed substantially transversely to theprincipal plane of main body portion 22. Extending forwardly from thefront edge of triangularly shaped section 38 and likewise being integralwith main body portion 22 is a longitudinally hook shaped puncturingelement 4% which functions solely to generate an initial puncture orperforation in a can being punctured by device 20, through which initialpuncture pressurizing gas is allowed to escape.

Pouring opening puncturing element 32 is a fiat element of generallytriangular shape. As it is fabricated as a single element, it isprovided with an opening 42. This opening serves to allow the passage ofpuncturing element 40 through puncturing element 32 when the latterelement is set in place against its backup section 33 of main bodyportion 22 in the course of assembling can puncturing device 26. Whenpuncturing element 32 is in fact in place against backup section 38 itis attached fixedly thereto by soldering, brazing, weIding, or othersuitable means. Beads of hard solder can, for example, be run all alongthe essentially right angle corner formed between puncturing element 32and backup section 38 on the right hand or rear side of this puncturingelement. Hard solder can be used also to fill up any volume of opening42 in puncturing element 32 not occupied by puncturing element 40. Suchfilling will have at least some effect to stiffen puncturing element 40.

Integral with main body portion 22 and extending downwardly from itsprincipal lower edge substantially within the principal plane of thisportion in appropriately spaced relation to backup section 38 is agenerally triangularly shaped section 44 which serves as a puncturingelement to generate pressure balancing or vacuum breaking openings incans being punctured by device 20. The particular spaced relationexisting between backup section 38 and pressure balancing openingpuncturing element 44, which in efiect establishes the spaced relationbetween the pouring opening and pressure balancing opening puncturingelements in the assembled can puncturing device, will be determined forthe main body portion of any particular device according to the diameteror range of diameters of the cans with which the device is intended tobe used.

Referring next to FIGS. 8 through 12 as a group, a metal can such as abeer can shown therein is generally The cap pulling feature designated46. This can includes a side wall portion 48 and a top 5%) which arejoined along a beaded or rolled edge 52. For the purpose of clarity ofillustration of mechanical interaction of can puncturing device 20 withcan 46, the can is shown in FIG. 8 and succeeding figures as being emptyof liquid contents.

Referring next to FIG. 8 particularly, can puncturing device 20 is shownin pivotedengagement with edge 52 of can 46 at its, the devices, point36, and as having been swung down far enough toward the can thatpuncturing element 40 has penetrated can top 50. As shown in FIG. 8, aclear passage through the can top to the right of puncturing element 40exists from the interior region of the can to the outside atmosphere. Itis through this passage as indicated by a curved arrow that pressurizinggas within the can in its, the cans, filled condition is allowed toescape before any heavy puncturing of the can is done to generate eitherthe pouring or the pressure balancing opening. This early escape of gasthrough the relatively small opening generated by puncturing element 40has significant effect to reduce objectionable foaming of the cancontents when the other, larger openings in the can top are generated.

Note is to be taken that as pressurizing gas and some entrained liquidescape through the small opening gen erated by puncturing element 40 abeneficial bafiiing or shielding effect is provided by pouring openingpuncturing element 32, this element being located almost directly abovepuncturing element 40' as can puncturing device 20 is oriented in FIG.8. Escaping gas and its entrained liquid impinge almost immediately uponpuncturing element 32 at or below the level of can edge 52, and areprevented by it from spraying out widely around can 46.

Referring next to FIG. 9 particularly, can puncturing device 20 has beenswung down toward can 46 sufiiciently far from its, the devices,position shown in FIG. 8 that penetration of can top 50 by puncturingelement 40 has been completed, and puncturing element 32 has penetratedthe can top to an extent that the pouring opening in the top has beengenerated in substantial part. In the course of generation of thepouring opening, a flap of metal 54 sheared out of can top 50 has beenbent down ahead of puncturing element 32 within'the interior region ofcan 46.

Referring next to FIG. 10 particularly,- can puncturing device 21) hasbeen swung down toward can 46 as far" as it will go, its motion beinglimited by its striking against the portion of can edge 52 diametricallyopposite to that wherewith the device is engaged at its, the devices,point 36. In the course of this motion the pouring opening in can top 50generated by puncturing element 32 has been enlarged to its fullest andfinal extent, and the pressure balancing or vacuum breaking opening hasbeen fully generated by penetration of puncturing element 44 through thecan top.

Considering FIGS. 8, 9, and 10 as a group, it is to be noted that theorientation of can puncturing device 20 with respect to can 46 is suchthat at all times the narrow or edge surface of the main body portion ofthe device is directed toward the top of the can. Accordingly, forceexerted on the can puncturing device to effect penetration of can top 50by its, the devices, several puncturing elements must be appliedessentially normally to the devices narrow or edge surface with theresult that the device is subject to deflection as a cantilever in itsleast limber or most rigid mode of bending. Said in other words, canpuncturing device 20 is a very stifr" and positively acting tool in thehand of a user.

Referring finally to FIGS. 11 and 12 particularly, the several openingsgenerated in top 50 of can 46 by action of the puncturing elements ofcanpuncturing device 20 are clearly and individually distinguishable.Gas escape or initial vent opening 56 is the one generated by action ofpuncturing element 40. Pouring opening 58 is the one generated by actionof puncturing element 32. Pressure balancing or vacuum breaking opening60 is the one generated by action of puncturing element 44. It is to benoted especially that while opening 56 occurs in flap 54 sheared out ofcan top 50 by action of puncturing element 32 in the course ofgeneration of pouring opening 58, the identity of gas escape opening 56is maintained entirely distinct from that of the pouring opening.

Although this invention has been described with a certain degree ofparticularity, it is to be understood that resort may be had to at leastsome changes in the details of construction of its illustrated apparatusembodiment without departing from the spirit and scope of the inventionas hereinafter claimed. It is intended to secure protection by LettersPatent for this invention in all its aspects to the broadest extent thatthe prior art allows.

I claim as my invention:

1. A can puncturing device comprising 1) a main body portion ofsubstantially flat, striplike form, and characterized by (i) a lengthdimension, (ii) a width dimension, (iii) a thickness dimensionsubstantially less than its width dimension, (iv) upper and lowersurfaces each defined by its length and thickness dimensions, and (v) arelieved region opening through its lower surface near its front end,the bounding material of this relieved region on the front undersidethereof being finished to a point directed toward the rear end of thedevice whereby the device may be engaged with and pivot about the edgeof a can; (2) a pouring opening puncturing element attached to said mainbody portion and extending below the lower surface thereof at about therear end of the opening of the relieved region through the lower surfaceof said main body portion, said pouring opening puncturing elementhaving a front surface disposed substantially transversely to andextending beyond either side of the plane of said main body portiondefined by the length and width dimensions thereof, and (3) a ventopening puncturing element attached to said main body portion andextending forwardly from the front surface of said pouring openingpuncturing element, said vent opening puncturing element being locatedsubstantially centrally with respect to said pouring opening puncturingelement and having a mean dimension measured normally to the plane ofsaid main body portion defined by the length and width dimensionsthereof which is substantially less than the corresponding meandimension of said pouring opening puncturing element.

2. A can puncturing device according to claim 1 in which said ventopening puncturing element is longitudinally hook shaped with its frontend being directed downwardly.

3. A can puncturing device according to claim 1 which further comprisesa pressure balancing opening puncturing element attached to said mainbody portion in rearwardly spaced relation to said pouring openingpuncturing element and extending below the lower surface of said mainbody portion substantially within the plane thereof defined by itslength and width dimensions.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,651,923 Kenney Dec. 6, 1927 2,090,085 Wegner Aug. 17, 1937 2,195,253Meier et a1. Mar. 26, 1940 2,232,123 Luppert Feb. 18, 1941 2,568,612Cullen Sept. 18, 1951 2,750,662 Kubik et a1. June 19, 1956 2,845,702Kopal Aug. 5, 1958 2,880,502 Besecker Apr. 7, 1959 2,983,040 Araujo May9, 1961 FOREIGN PATENTS 556,853 Belgium May 15, 1957

1. A CAN PUNCTURING DEVICE COMPRISING (1) A MAIN BODY PORTION OFSUBSTANTIALLY FLAT, STRIPLIKE FORM, AND CHARACTERIZED BY (I) A LENGTHDIMENSION, (II) A WIDTH DIMENSION, (III) A THICKNESS DIMENSIONSUBSTANTIALLY LESS THAN ITS WIDTH DIMENSION, (IV) UPPER AND LOWERSURFACES EACH DEFINED BY ITS LENGTH AND THICKNESS DIMENSIONS, AND (V) ARELIEVED REGION OPENING THROUGH ITS LOWER SURFACE NEAR ITS FRONT END,THE BOUNDING MATERIAL OF THIS RELIEVED REGION ON THE FRONT UNDERSIDETHEREOF BEING FINISHED TO A POINT DIRECTED TOWARD THE REAR END OF THEDEVICE WHEREBY THE DEVICE MAY BE ENGAGED WITH AND PIVOT ABOUT THE EDGEOF A CAN; (2) A POURING OPENING PUNCTURING ELEMENT ATTACHED TO SAID MAINBODY PORTION AND EXTENDING BELOW THE LOWER SURFACE THEREOF AT ABOUT THEREAR END OF THE OPENING OF THE RELIEVED REGION THROUGH THE LOWER SURFACEOF SAID MAIN BODY PORTION, SAID POURING OPENING PUNCTURING ELEMENTHAVING A FRONT SURFACE DISPOSED SUBSTANTIALLY TRANSVERSELY TO ANDEXTENDING BEYOND EITHER SIDE OF THE PLANE OF SAID MAIN BODY PORTIONDEFINED BY THE LENGTH AND WIDTH DIMENSIONS THEREOF, AND (3) A VENTOPENING PUNCTURING ELEMENT ATTACHED TO SAID MAIN BODY PORTION ANDEXTENDING FORWARDLY FROM THE FRONT SURFACE OF SAID POURING OPENINGPUNCTURING ELEMENT, SAID VENT OPENING PUNCTURING ELEMENT BEING LOCATEDSUBSTANTIALLY CENTRALLY WITH RESPECT TO SAID POURING OPENING PUNCTURINGELEMENT AND HAVING A MEAN DIMENSION MEASURED NORMALLY TO THE PLANE OFSAID MAIN BODY PORTION DEFINED BY THE LENGTH AND WIDTH DIMENSIONSTHEREOF WHICH IS SUBSTANTIALLY LESS THAN THE CORRESPONDING MEANDIMENSION OF SAID POURING OPENING PUNCTURING ELEMENT.